FIFA 10 tips for attacking and defending

I read PSM3 Dec edition magazine, and found tips for FIFA 10 that I think will benefit mostly to beginner player.

Attacking

1. Pass, pass  and pass.
Don't try to run the entire field with one player. It won't work. Use one-two's a lot.

2. Cross early and practice.
Use 'Early cross' a lot. Practice curling in crosses and redirecting your shot.

3. Shoot with stronger foot.
Long- range finesse shots using top players with overall ability of 80 or more are more powerful in FIFA 10.

4. Change the tempo often.
Change the tempo to keep your opponent guessing. Keep calm if you go a goal down. Momentum makes your players sharper and better organised.

5. Don't shoot if you can't score.
Possession is vital and taking shot with a weaker footed player from 30 yards out is madness. Keep working the ball around and look for openings.

6. Use your stamina wisely.
Players tire towards the end of games and you'll see more space on the pitch. Conserve your stamina. Subs with fresh legs can make the difference. Keeping possession will tire your opponent's team out as they chase to regain the ball.

Defending

1.Tackling
Only tackle when you are 90% sure you're going to get the ball, except when trying to stop a counter and making a 'professional foul'.

2. Tactics and strategies.
Your tactics should mirror your team's formation. It's not good playing offensive with five at the back and lots of defensive midfields.

3. Jockeying.
When one on one with your defender against a skillful player, don't try to tackle him. Stay in front of him while pressing L2+R2. You can use the secondary defender by pressing square.

4. Take your time.
If a quick forward is approaching you, don't always try to tackle straight away. Get control of a defender and run backwards and get into a better angle to defend against him.

5. Pressing
One of the best ways to win the ball.

6. Use the super cancel appropriately.
Sometimes, your defender gets locked in a run that puts him the wrong side of the attacker. However, it's possible to intercept the ball mid-pass. Knowing how to cancel (L2+R2) a player's locked run is essential. You can also use cancel to get in a better defensive position.

Source: PSM3 magazine, December edition.

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FIFA 10 and PES 2010, which is better?

It is not new that FIFA 10 is often compared to PES 2010. In fact, this is exactly what I'm going to do right now. To start with metacritics/ reviews for both games.

Gamespot: 
PES 2010 - 6.5/10
FIFA 10 - 9/10

PSM UK:
PES 2010 - 9/10
FIFA 10 - 9.5/10

IGN UK:
PES 2010 - 8.7/10
FIFA 10 - 9.3/10

Indeed it seems that FIFA 10 has a bit of advantage on this one, but every side has its own advantages/ disadvantages. I played FIFA 10 and PES 2010 demo, so my opinion might not be accurate.

The good thing about PES 2010 are, firstly the graphics. The graphics is given a major upgrade this time. Some player faces likeness are uncanny, and I'm impressed by the stadium lights and the grasses. When running, players seems to be more 'on the ground' than FIFA 10. For graphics, PES 2010 is a clear winner.

I love champions league tournament, this is the mode that FIFA 10 lacking. However FIFA 10 has a full license of Barclay Premier league. Being an Arsenal fans I love to play with proper emblem and kits. In PES 2010, the Arsenal team is called 'North London'. You can however change the emblem and kits via customization mode. You can actually download it via internet, but I'm just plain lazy and it is always nice to have it in the first place.

The downside of PES 2010 is that player movement feels a bit clunky. It is not as smooth as FIFA 10. Though both versions boast that it has 360 dribbling, however PES 2010 is more 16 directional dribble than 360.
The AI seems a bit off in PES 2010. I tried to pass through Torres when I had a chance, only he just standing there, where as in FIFA 10, when I found a space to trough pass, the attacker begin its run towards the goal. I don't know if PES 2010 is inferior to FIFA 10, but that what I felt when I tried both.

And I feel that tactics using slider in PES 2010 gives you a better customization than FIFA 10. For hardcore fans, PES 2010 system might be more favorable than FIFA 10.

So, which game should you buy? It will depends a lot on your preferences. Some might like FIFA 10, but some might enjoy PES 2010 more. And personally I think both are good games.

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FIFA 10: Be a pro mode impression

Being in Indonesia, there was only one game for soccer. That is Winning Eleven or Pro Evolution Soccer, not so much for FIFA.
But FIFA since 09 was doing quite well globally, in fact FIFA 09 was clearly superior than PES 09, I downloaded FIFA 10 demo in PS3.
After a while, I decided to give FIFA 10 a go. And so far I tried different mode, and since I already stopped playing soccer games since PES 08 I haven't been updated with the new modes.
Currently I was hooked with Be a pro mode. Be a pro lets you create your own avatar and progress through your team as in real live. In the field, you only control your own player, the rest will be controlled by computers. However, there is an option to enable full players control should you want it.
Your statistics will improve depends on what actions you take. There will be some sort of throphies to achieve for that. For example: If you score sucessfully scored a hat trick in a match, you finishing stats will improve by 2 points.
You are set objectives by your coaches, such as get a goal, win the match, or get a rating of 7 in the match. All of those will contribute to your reputation.
Firstly you will play in reserve team. If you manage to keep your performances, your reputation, ultimately you'll be in first team and England national.
You can also compete online, and make a team among your friends to compete online.
To sum up, its like a soccer RPG, and it definitely give more content than traditional soccer games.

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Pricing parity in Europe and Asia

So I am travelling to Paris. I hope to find something for gaming. Turns out everything is expensive here. For PS3 slim, I'm aware that it is going to cost €299 and €249 for PSPgo. For games, it is really raised my eyebrow.
I checked every single games store that I came across, and every store carries a standard price.
For a new release game like FIFA 10 and Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, it gonna cost you €69.99. That's like Rp 995.000,-, almost double from where I'm from (Jakarta).
Some really old games sell like €23, but the games are about 'Heavenly Sword' old.
So, I think I'll wait until my trip back to Jakarta and buy the things I wanted.
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FIFA 10 TOPs UK Chart

FIFA 10 that just released recently on all platforms tops UK chart. It is highest selling of all FIFA games.
Xbox 360 version contributes 48% while PS3 contributes 46%, the rest are other platforms.
Second place is DS's Professor Layton and Pandora's box. And third spot taken by Halo ODST.
With Pro Evolution Soccer 10 coming on early November, FIFA 10 can certainly enjoy time advantage.
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